Tuesday, January 17, 2017

We took the kids to their first rally this past Monday, (MLK Jr. Day) at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. It was a gathering of nearly 7000 similarly minded folks advocating for the Washington State Legislature to fully fund (as the Washington Supreme Court has already mandated) public school education in our state.

As is stands now, without any action being taken, the public schools will fall 10's of millions of dollars short of what is required for this funding, leaving school districts such as Seattle no choice but to cut already thin staffing and operations.

In short, there will be a lot of students, especially those in low income areas where there is no outside support, such as from a PTA to supplement funds, left behind in critical area's.

We felt it was important for us to be there on Monday, with the kids, to voice our concerns and to give a visual reminder to our legislators that the impact is not simply in numbers, but that real live kids will be negatively affected without action being taken.

As it turns out, it was a cold morning, and both kids had a limit to the time they could be out there in the cold without a proper meal, so we left after a few hours, trusting our more experienced and savvy friends and PTA members to follow up directly with our legislative representatives.

But the message was certainly heard. Both by said legislators, and by Lukas and to a lesser extent, Annabelle (who's 4). Having a voice, and acting on it - even if in a small way - does make a difference.

Mrs. LIAYF and I look forward to many more opportunities with the kids to get involved, and to make our bit of difference on important topics to us.

No matter how big that is, it's a lesson in democracy we are happy to be teaching them.

Who knows, maybe someday they will help change the world for the better!

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays readers! I've been working very hard over the past couple of months, and thus have had less time (much less) than I've needed to devote here at 'Luke, I am Your Father'.

But what better time than Christmas Day to check in and to let you know that the LIAYF clan are still here, enjoying our time together, sharing lots of love and happiness and, as always, growing older and wiser.

Thankfully, a couple of weeks ago Lukas and Annabelle mailed their Christmas letter, which Lukas carefully wrote to Santa for both of them.

Annabelle, who is still crazy for Superman (as well as Peppa Pig, Hello Kitty, Rainbow Dash, Mickey Mouse....) only asked Santa for a pair of Superman headphones.

Lukas, who is 9 now, decided he would leave the decision to Santa himself, since "Santa knows me so well."

I love this boy!

Shortly after mailing the letter, they got to go tell the Jolly Old Elf himself, what they wanted. As you can tell, they were both extremely happy to see Santa. Especially Annabelle.

Then, this morning, the excitement was palpable as they both raced down the stairs to see if Santa had come, and what he had brought them. (By the way, he DID eat the cookies and milk they left for him, leaving only a few crumbs for Dad to clean up. Which I did after eating a few-ish of the leftovers.)

It was a wonderful Christmas morning, with lots of smiles, love, sharing, and even a fire burning in the TV cabinet.

By the way, Annabelle did get her Superman headphones from Santa (she was thrilled), and Santa chose to give Lukas 'Bloxels' a cool video game creating gift, which he was so excited about, he didn't care to open the gifts Mrs. LIAYF and I had got him.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Don't ask, but know that next year I'll briefly be a member of the Over 50, Under 5 club. Yay!

I'm not mentioning this to get any birthday greetings from you readers, I received plenty of those from all my closest friends - through Facebook, of course. Almost no one at my work even realized it was my 'special day', which shows where the Venn Diagram between my FB friends and Co-workers intersects I suppose.

Anyway, the real reason I mentioned my birthday, is because although I received a whole lot of love, hugs, smiles, and cool stuff from my loved ones, there was one teensy little present which I just had to enjoy right away. No, I was IMPLORED to.

It was from Annabelle.

Lukas actually got me a hilarious card that featured a Honey Badger having eaten my cake. We laughed a lot at that one together, because....how can you not laugh at a Honey Badger?

Then I opened the card from Annabelle, which was an awesome High Fiving Unicorn card!

Maybe High One-ing?

It was magical.

And if that wasn't cool enough, when I opened the card, out slid a Tattoo set. Annabelle shrieked with delight as she grabbed the pair of tats and proclaimed that we were both going to get one of them right away.

Then she looked at me in all sincerity, and asked "Can we do it now Daddy? Right now?".

How could I say no to that? Well, I couldn't. End of discussion.

All I had to do was first choose which of the two I wanted, since it WAS my Birthday and all.

Now, I must admit that this was a pretty difficult choice. But in the end, Annabelle was perfectly happy that she got to adorn her arm with the remaining colorful Rainbow tattoo.

As for me? More magic. Not the run of the mill kind either. But the pure, unfiltered kind. Yeah, the good stuff.

It's as if (s)he was shot from the rainbow

I chose the Unicorn because of all those Magical powers. And, I'm pretty sure the world was at complete peace for a second or two after it's application. Plus I heard harp like music from nowhere in particular.

Unfortunately for me once I had this pink beast tranfered onto my arm all the existing tone and muscle definition seemed to disappear from my bicep instantly.

Must be a side effect.

Thanks Sweetie! And, Happy Birthday to me. I'm not going to wash this arm for quite some time.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

In fact, I struggled again last night while trying to read Annabelle a bedtime story.

At this rate I'm sure I'll be blind by the end of the year. I'll probably have to add the blind moniker to the beginning of my name. Something like Blind Willie Seattledad. Or Blind Lemon Seattledad.

But on the bright side, I might finally take up that harmonica that's been staring longingly at me all these years.

Ok, so in reality I am not going to lose my eyesight, which is a good thing, but they are noticeably weaker with each passing month these days.

While most days I just think of myself as a dad period. In the back of my mind I know that the tell tale signs are there. The signs that I'm on the back side in years, of where I should be for having an active 3 year old, and a lightning fast 9 year old.

I say active, but what I really mean is she NEVER. SLOWS. DOWN.

Achy knees? Check. Creaky bones the morning after a long night with an overly drawn out bedtime for the kids, followed by dishes and laundry and lunches, and more dishes and more laundry? Check.

That extra little groan I have to make now while picking up one or both of my kids - because they are too tired to walk anymore (even though they just had 10 or more hours of sleep)? Check!

You know who's really too tired? Me, that's who!

Just a couple of nights ago I was engrossed in reading Annabelle Frog and Toad (with my reading glasses), when the next thing I knew she was over playing with her doll house and apparently had been for some time!

I vaugely remembered her yelling at me a couple of times to keep reading, but that didn't help. I was just out cold.

And now, the fact that I can't even read my kids a bedtime story anymore without holding the book at arm's length (unless, of course, I go off in search of my one pair of reading glasses) is another reminder that my body is in an all out race with my kid's childhood.

Sometimes I wonder which will be expire first?

This is sad. Poor me*. I say so, because my eyes were the one superior thing I had left over my wife and kids. Something I could Lord over them as they got older. They all have glasses, but I've always had the perfect vision in the household.

Not anymore though.

Yep, these eyes are going to crap out on me soon. Leaving me not only nearly blind, but tired and achy too.

*The truth of the matter is that I don't have to be able to read without optical support to see my kids smiles. I could see those even if I really were blind, which thankfully I am not. Plus, I can hear their laughter perfectly even though they seem to think I can't hear very well. Or they must think so, since they are always talking SO darn loud.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Our Annabelle has always been a great athlete for her age. Sure, she has a compact frame, usually being the shortest kid among her peers, but boy she is coordinated. And freakishly strong too.

She stepped onto a 3 wheeled scooter shortly after her grandparents got it for her 2nd birthday, and was instantly adept, amazing onlookers as a little while later she fearlessly weaved through crowded sidewalks with ease.

Aware that she had natural athletic gifts, Mrs. LIAYF and I enrolled her in a gymnastics class a year or so ago. And, of course, she has mightily impressed the coaches there with her abilities as she quickly moved through the ranks. So much so that, still 3 years old, they want her to enroll in a class for 5-6 year olds this month. I just watch in awe as I consider the things this little girl can do at such a young age.

We actually had to wait until she turned 3 and a half years old before we could get her on Lukas' old balance bike, because her legs were too short. But once we did a couple months ago, like most other things, she took to it almost immediately.

So, recognizing that the Summer was winding down and that we wanted to get her riding a pedal bike sooner than later, we picked her up a super cool Specialized 12" pink Hotrock of her very own last night.

Today, we took her to a playground with a lot of asphalt. Perfect for learning how to make the transition.

What happened? Well, you can probably guess.

Yeah, that's a very short clip. But I was WAY to busy following her around the whole playground with a huge grin on my face to get a longer version. It was pretty awesome!

Bottom line, in nearly no time she has once again proven that she is a natural athlete and is willing to conquer any challenge that comes her way.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

I love my Annabelle. We have a pretty good Father/Daugther thing going.

And even though she can be a tad TOO independent for my taste at times (read: at the end of a long work day when she doesn't want to go to bed on our set schedule for her), she is a funny, bright, hard working, strong and lovely little girl.

And my days would be filled with so much less happiness without her.

Apparently, she appreciates and enjoys the affection I heap on her as well.

Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have promised her a real unicorn for her next birthday.

Okay, I didn't really promise her a unicorn. But I really do need to teach her about the value of wishes and the decision making process that goes into choosing one. Thinking bigger, if you will. I mean, really, she can hug and kiss me (and does) anytime she wants.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Hey there other Dads. Today, you can forget all the well intentioned mugs and hats you might have received as tokens of your kids appreciation.

Forget the T-shirts and framed pictures as well. And the ties and frisbees too (yeah, it's happening out there). In fact, forget everything you may have been told about the identity of the best dad in the world.

Why forget these things, you may ask. Well, forget them because a definitive #1 Dad has now been crowned people. And it is your truly. Boom!

I've got the trophy to prove it*.

Just take a gander below, but don't stare directly at it because it's brightness may burn your eyes.

Reminicient of the Stanley Cup. Or a butterfly.

Okay, okay. This may, in fact say 'Dad 1 #'. And the alignment is a teeeeesny bit off, with the 1 acting like it needs some space from the # symbol. Whatever.

But without a doubt it's coming from coming from the cutest girl EVAH!

(no her name isn't Evah, that is just my way of slanging the word ever. Roll with it.)

So we can certainly give her a little slack. I did.

I've got a combined 4608 days chalked up to being a Dad. I think the title is deserving. Plus, I can now pour some cold beverage into each end of this paper cup trophy, and have myself a refreshing, relaxing day. At least until the paper handles give.

Who am I kidding. I'll still be chasing them around today. The beer will be my reward for that time after they are in bed.

Yep, this Father's day will be the best of all time. Once again.

*I am also open to the slim possibility that there might be more than one #1 Dad out there, or 1 # Dad. And if there are, I raise my trophy in toast to those great dads. Happy Father's Day, guys.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

My daughter and I were swinging at a local playground a couple of days ago when you came over to play as well. I'm sure you remember this, since you are still young.

You stood on the yellow plastic chair swing next to us, as I pushed Annabelle higher and higher at her emphatic request. You seemed interested in our antics, as you smiled at us. Then you told my daughter that you liked her glasses. She didn't really respond, but that was because she was busy gaining altitude, her arms stretched out in front of her pretending to fly. Plus she was being a bit shy.

So, that's why I answered for her. "Thanks!" Grown ups do that a lot. It's called being polite for your kids. Anyway, then you asked her how old she was, and she did respond. Just not too loud. "Three" I helped out once again.

Then you proceeded to shimmy up the swing bar, the one that angled backwards, so effortlessly that I was duly impressed. As you hung there at the top, nearly 10ft high I asked you your age. You responded seven with conviction and an ease of tone. Then as you swung back and forth on the bar, you engaged us in even more conversation. You told us about your school, and how you were almost done with 2nd grade and about how you like to climb a lot.

Once back down, you even started showing Annabelle just how to climb up the pole. Taking her shoes off was a helpful tip (although I groaned just a bit because you know who has to put them back on, don't you?) Even though I then helped her climb up with some bottom support, she was smiling because the 'big girl' was showing her how. She loves climbing too, by the way.

Once you even looked over at me when Annabelle was turned away, and whispered exaggeratedly "Her glasses are SO cute!", which was pretty cute in and of itself.

If I had thought to pick out your parent(s) from the crowd conversing not far away at the edge of the playground I might just have gone over to them and indicated how impressed I was with your kindness towards Annabelle, and the ease with which you struck up a conversation with this dad and his daughter. As a grown up you often think of those things later. Things you wish you had done in the moment. Then you say 'Oh well."

But there was something else you said during that interaction that afternoon which actually made me laugh inside. Inside, but out loud inside.

It was when you turned to me with a smile and said "You know, you look a lot like my dad, when he was younger." I paused for a moment, only because I was fully processing that statement.

"Yeah? How old is your Dad?" I curiously replied.

And when you responded matter-of-factly "Thirty Four", I just smiled outwardly, did the mental math, and had that internal moment of blissful amusement.

Anyway, thank you cute kid on the playground. You certainly made this 48 year old dad chuckle.